The Veteran's appeal for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus and TDIU prior to January 16, 2013 is denied. The claim for service connection for GERD is remanded.
The deciding factor: The Veteran does not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities during the period prior to January 16, 2013 and there is no evidence of unemployability due to his service-connected conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- {"condition_name":"Bilateral Tinnitus"}, {"condition_name":"Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)"}
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 22, 2019
- Citation
- 19188397
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 19188397.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
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Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
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- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for tinnitus to correct a duty to assist error, as the Veteran's lay statements regarding onset and continuity of symptoms were not adequately considered in the previous decision.
- Dismissed
The appeal for service connection for a left-hand condition is dismissed as the Veteran was granted service connection for mononeuropathy to the left hand fourth finger with parasthesia of skin in an October 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for unspecified anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding their etiology.
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